Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 15, 1904.djvu/242

 2i8 Coyycspondciicc.

prevents further violence. It will be noticed the regular formula feature of the tokens is more developed in this story than in the ones from New Zealand.

The next story is curious, and perhaps can hardly be called a variant of the theme. There is no actual fight, but the son does seek the father, and the latter failing to recognise him, and boding no good to himself from the meeting with a stranger, flees pre- cipitately. The tale comes from Rotuma,^ an island in the Pacific, where the natives, who are of mixed Papuan stock, have come into frequent contact with Polynesians from Tonga, Samoa, and other islands. It might be mentioned that the women are free to marry whom they please, and it is their duty to attract to their hoag men who will enter and become a part of it. Usually all overtures are made by the girl.

The legend, as given by Mr. Gardiner, says that a certain Pilhofu had a son whose name was Tokaniua, and whom he left in Niuafoou when he first returned to Rotuma. After a time Tokaniua, who had become a great warrior, came over to Rotuma to search for his father, from whom he wanted help ; he journeyed

in a large double canoe and landed at Soukama Landing,

he first meets a girl called Leanfuda, whom he asks if she has seen his father. She refers him to Rosso ti Tooi, who tells him that he must ask Fetutoumal, a man living at Tarasua. He accordingly goes to Tarasua, and in reply to his inquiries is told that his father is at Upsese, a stone in front of Teukoi point, combing his hair. Further, he is directed that if he desires to see his father he must quietly roll this stone back. But when near Upsese Tokaniua has to walk across the sand, and making a noise is heard by Pilhofu, who at once takes to flight. Tokaniua pursues, but Pilhofu dives through a rock, and Tokaniua in following has great difficulty in stretching himself out sufficiently to squeeze through. But Pilhofu has turned himself into a stone, with the exception of one of his big toes, which Tokaniua seizes, and a conversation results.

Pilhofu : " Who is that ?"

Tokaniua : " It is I. Turn round, as I want to talk to you."

Pilhofu : " Why do you pursue me ? "

' T- Stanley Gardiner, "The Natives of Rolunia."' /. .-/. /., vol. 27, pp. 50S-9.